Friday night:   (04/15/11):  9 Total:  6 Classmates (plus 3 spouses)


	Saturday:       (04/16/11): 25 Total: 16 Classmates (plus 9 spouses/friends)

You may see the actual names of all who attended on both nights, by Clicking Here. Not only will you see the classmates listed but also their spouses/friends, who attended during both days.

On Friday night, four of us were there in time to enjoy the very tasty Seafood Buffet. The four who ate together were Mavis (Barnes) Johnson, Joyce and Gene Shanks and Donald Roark. The food was really the BEST of the BEST. Also, the price seemed to be more reasonable this year than in the past. The price on Friday night was $14.79 (includes drink, tax, etc.) ... and with Senior Discount, the total would be only $13.31. It appears that the price is about the same on Saturday night. The four of us classmates expected that we would be joined by more classmates and spouses, but the others who did make it on Friday night, arrived too late to eat with the four of us.

On Saturday, classmates and spouses arrived at various times. Hopefully everyone received their letter regarding the "format change" from Nancy (Hilliard) Fullerton. Or you may have read it in an eMail or on the Class Web Site. Our "Special Thanks" to Nancy for the letter.

It seemed that almost everyone present was "OK" with the format and some expressed that the "Change was Welcome". Since we want to return to making our reunion a "Weekend Event", rather than just an "eat and leave" affair when we only meet for lunch on Saturday. Several (most) classmates seemed to agree that the "Weekend Event" certainly was better and that this change (to this new format) was needed. However, we all are sorry if any one of our classmates found this change to have been an "inconvenience". Needless to say, there was a very "HAPPY" group of '53 classmates from Huntingdon High who met on Saturday, as well as those who met on Friday night.

Then later on Saturday, all of us finally "migrated" to the Natchez Room by four o'clock, where we sat around enjoying each other's presence and camaraderie. Our Class of '53 owes a "Debt of Gratitude" to the management and staff at Natchez Trace for their wonderful hospitality and friendliness. In all these years that we have held our reunions at Natchez Trace, none of them have ever been anything but very cordial and cooperative. One perk that they give us is to allow us to use the Natchez Room (free of charge) for our hospitality center "all day" on Saturday. Next year, they are allowing us to ... not only use this room on Saturday and Saturday night ... they agreed to allow us to use the Natchez Room on Friday night also.

At five o'clock and while we all were still in the Natchez Room, everyone gathered around the fireplace for our General Class Meeting. In the absence of our Class President, James "Butch" Reams, the Class VP (this author) presided.

• At the very beginning of the meeting, reports were given on those classmates and spouses whose health conditions did not allow them to be in attendance at this year's reunion. Also, Bertie (Holmes) Douglas brought "Thinking of You" cards. Hopefully all our classmates and spouses who attended got a chance to sign them. Bertie will take it upon herself to address and send all the cards to those reported as being in bad health or other conditions. Thanks Bertie.
• The change in our "Reunion Format" was thoroughly discussed. The entire NEW format is that we add the five o'clock, evening meal, back into our schedule and with the Class business meeting immediately following. This was overwhelmingly received. However, this was later modified and was also approved by the class. The modification was as follows:
  • That we add the "Luncheon on Saturday at 12 o'clock noon" BACK into the agenda. However, the class wanted the "remainder of the present (5 o'clock meal) format" to stand as it was this year. "Adding back" the "Luncheon on Saturday at 12 o'clock noon" was done in order to accomodate those classmates who were there at lunch-time on Saturday so that ... those who wanted, could eat together, if convenient. However, the important thing we would like to encourage everyone to do is to, "Please participate in as many other activities over the weekend, as each classmate's condition will allow". Otherwise, the class readily agreed that the new format was favored over the previous format. This gets away from the "Luncheon on Saturday" to be the central point for our reunion where it seems that everyone "came about 11 o'clock, ate at noon, then left immediately after the Class Business Meeting.
• A discussion regarding our continuing to meet at Natchez Trace or moving to another location was brought before the class. However, most everyone seemed to finally agree that Natchez Trace had been so very good to us, that no one would suggest any other place. Also, the food this year had really been delicious and more reasonable in price.
• We voted to return to Natchez Trace State Park (Pin Oak Lodge) for next year's reunion. The reunion in the year of 2012 will mark our 59th year. The date for next year's reunion was set for April 13th and 14th, 2012.
• Bertie Douglas reported on the Class Flower Fund. She stated that we had about $500 in the fund and that no money for flowers has had to be used in quite some time.
• Marge (Evans) Gossett brought up some very good points about the HHS Alumni Association. She stated that two $500 scholarships have been made available to two deserving high school seniors. Also, she has been in touch with an officer of the Assciation who promised her that other good things were beginning to take shape, now that the Association has been in existence for some time. It just took some time for the plans of the organizations to take effect and the groundwork to be laid. Again, the link for the The Huntingdon High School Alumni Association WEB SITE is Click here.
• The death of our beloved classmate, Lamon King, was discussed. Many of us classmates of Lamon got the word of his death so much later than we would have preferred. Therefore, flowers or some other memorial was not sent in time to be as effective as we would have liked. Therefore, Joyce (Conyers) Shanks moved that we send a donation of $25 to the HHS Alumi Association, in Lamon's honor. The motion was seconded and heartily approved. Bertie agreed to do this for the class by sending $25 to the HHS Alumni Association. Thanks again Bertie.
• Afer some discussion about whether to change to another facility to hold next year's reunion, it was almost unanimous that Natchez Trace would be fine again in 2012.
• Since Easter will be on the 2nd Sunday in April in 2012 (or April 8th, 2012), the dates of April 13th (Friday) and April 14th (Saturday) were selected for our reunion in 2012.
• Patricia (Gooch) Wilson suggested that we think about making our 60th reunion (in 2013) "Extra Special" in some way. This suggestion seemed to be received really well, but no one could suggest any way to make it "Extra" special at this time. It was suggested that people bring their ideas about this, with them, to the reunion next year. Also, 'Tricia accepted a suggestion that ... in the meantime ... she try to get some of our ladies together and plan something "VERY SPECIAL" for our 60th.
• A motion was made and seconded that we adjourn. It was unanimously approved.
• Ralph Work led us in the blessing on the meal. Then everyone got ready to enjoy the buffet provided in the dining room. Many full plates ... filled with delicious food and deserts ... were brought back into the Natchez Room for our consumption and enjoyment.

Please NOTICE: If any Classmate remembers any Items of Business and/or Topics of Discussion that were not mentioned, please send an email to me as follows:    .

Corrections or additions that are sent to me will be duly noted and corrections made.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD that He would allow us to enjoy each other as classmates ... for all these many years. A few of us discussed, at various times, that we have always been close as a group of classmates. Furthermore, it appears that we grew up in that generation ... when we were "taught how to love one another" by our parents and other grownups. Even our teachers showed and taught us love for others and respect for our fellowman. Therefore, since we don't know why God has blessed our CLASS so much, our LOVE for ONE ANOTHER may be one of the reasons that he has "smiled on each of us and our entire class".

Let me reiterate (from times previous to this): If any classmate(s) read this ... who have not been back to see all of us HHS Classmates from 1953, please ... we MISS YOU and would love to SEE YOU AGAIN. There is not one of us, your classmates, who do not yearn to see you again. You WILL FEEL the LOVE. Sooo! ... Please come and enjoy this wonderful and worthy event.