In mid-August 2002, the class of 1952 from Cato-Meridian Central School held its 50th reunion. Bob and Nancy Gillmore headed up the committee that planned the reunion.
This class had about two months of kindergarten in the new central school when it opened in the spring of 1940. When graduation time came, there were just 35 members in the class (17 boys and 18 girls).
For the reunion, five chose not to attend for personal reasons, six have passed away, two members married between their junior and senior years (so were not members of the senior class), but have always been considered members of the class. One was a 3-year graduate.
This class had teachers, military veterans, electrician, a hairstylist, logger, drywall entrepreneur, land developer, farmer's wives, farm equipment mechanic, village DPW person, sales persons, politician, auto technology instructor and housewives.
Class members came from the states of California, Oregon, Texas, North Carolina and various places within New York state for the reunion.
On Friday evening, members that chose to, gathered at Cross Lake Inn for a catch up time together. On Saturday afternoon, 25 members of the class met at 2 p.m., for a photo session on the front steps of the present middle school. Bob lined everyone up according to their graduation photo. Cameras held by spouses clicked away as did that of the professional photographer.
After the photo session, two of the school's janitors gave a guided tour of the school paying particular attention to the new addition and recreation center.
It was interesting to walk behind the class members and listen to their comments “Do you remember when?”
They were not angels by any means. Sunday breakfast was held for those that wished to attend, at Bob and Nancy's camp on Duck Lake.
The big feature was a picnic (bring a dish of food for a smorgasbord-style picnic) held at Mott Park in the village of Cato at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Because some were from out of state, sweet corn was purchased and served along with all of the typical picnic food. Three grills cooked conies, hot dogs, hamburgers, sweet corn, etc.
Of course, one of the grills ran out of propane, but the owner had an extra tank available. One male class member tasted every cake there, but could not decide which one was the best, they were all too good.
Attendees enjoyed visiting with their classmates and spouses. Many had not seen each other since graduation, so they had a lot of catching up to do.
This reunion was very informal and relaxing. I attended my own 50th class reunion (different school district) the following year, and did not have nearly as good a time as I did at my husband's in 2002.
Members of the class are: Janet Koller Amidon, Jean Calkins White, John Calkins, Sharlene Southard Canestrare, Frank Cunningham, James DeBottis, Olga Melnick Demetriades, Donald Duger, Audrey Bradt Earl, Melanie Tindall Fabrizio, Norma Pope Gilfus, Robert J. Gillmore, Genevieve Calkins Gustke, Robert Hecht, Francis Muhlnickel, Joan Williams Muhlnickel, Richard Hovey, David Lee, Sylvia Wiggins Lee, Anita Caswell Lynch, Irene Miller Wilber, Leigh Pittroff, Fred Pople, William Rood, Martha Kells Shaw, Fern Hamlin Shimp, James Southard, Carol Dobbins Summerville, David Titus, James Tyler, David Henderson, John Quinnell, Clarence Scott, Beverly Johnson Sears, Joyce Southard Caven, Mary Jane Crego Trepasso, Genevieve Hoag Calkins.
For those who might be planning a class reunion, why not try planning a weekend like this Class of 1952 did.
Dorothy Southard is historian for Ira
For the reunion, five chose not to attend for personal reasons, six have passed away, two members married between their junior and senior years (so were not members of the senior class), but have always been considered members of the class. One was a 3-year graduate.
This class had teachers, military veterans, electrician, a hairstylist, logger, drywall entrepreneur, land developer, farmer's wives, farm equipment mechanic, village DPW person, sales persons, politician, auto technology instructor and housewives.
Class members came from the states of California, Oregon, Texas, North Carolina and various places within New York state for the reunion.
On Friday evening, members that chose to, gathered at Cross Lake Inn for a catch up time together. On Saturday afternoon, 25 members of the class met at 2 p.m., for a photo session on the front steps of the present middle school. Bob lined everyone up according to their graduation photo. Cameras held by spouses clicked away as did that of the professional photographer.
After the photo session, two of the school's janitors gave a guided tour of the school paying particular attention to the new addition and recreation center.
It was interesting to walk behind the class members and listen to their comments “Do you remember when?”
They were not angels by any means. Sunday breakfast was held for those that wished to attend, at Bob and Nancy's camp on Duck Lake.
The big feature was a picnic (bring a dish of food for a smorgasbord-style picnic) held at Mott Park in the village of Cato at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Because some were from out of state, sweet corn was purchased and served along with all of the typical picnic food. Three grills cooked conies, hot dogs, hamburgers, sweet corn, etc.
Of course, one of the grills ran out of propane, but the owner had an extra tank available. One male class member tasted every cake there, but could not decide which one was the best, they were all too good.
Attendees enjoyed visiting with their classmates and spouses. Many had not seen each other since graduation, so they had a lot of catching up to do.
This reunion was very informal and relaxing. I attended my own 50th class reunion (different school district) the following year, and did not have nearly as good a time as I did at my husband's in 2002.
Members of the class are: Janet Koller Amidon, Jean Calkins White, John Calkins, Sharlene Southard Canestrare, Frank Cunningham, James DeBottis, Olga Melnick Demetriades, Donald Duger, Audrey Bradt Earl, Melanie Tindall Fabrizio, Norma Pope Gilfus, Robert J. Gillmore, Genevieve Calkins Gustke, Robert Hecht, Francis Muhlnickel, Joan Williams Muhlnickel, Richard Hovey, David Lee, Sylvia Wiggins Lee, Anita Caswell Lynch, Irene Miller Wilber, Leigh Pittroff, Fred Pople, William Rood, Martha Kells Shaw, Fern Hamlin Shimp, James Southard, Carol Dobbins Summerville, David Titus, James Tyler, David Henderson, John Quinnell, Clarence Scott, Beverly Johnson Sears, Joyce Southard Caven, Mary Jane Crego Trepasso, Genevieve Hoag Calkins.
For those who might be planning a class reunion, why not try planning a weekend like this Class of 1952 did.
Dorothy Southard is historian for Ira
The Citizens' Say
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