by David Flint
New Lebanon High School’s Alumni Reunion Dinner Saturday, July 10, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Pittsfield was well attended by 183 alumni and 45 guests. The gathering has been very well attended for the past 11 years, and it’s largely the doing of 1949 graduate Richard Burns who has footed the bill for the Dinner all of those years. [private]
Burns wanted to see greater participation at the annual celebration and he has certainly accomplished that. It is hoped, now that the Alumni has become so hooked on the camaraderie, seeing old friends and sharing of stories at these get-togethers, that the Burns’ subsidy will not be needed in the future.
Many travelled long distances to get to the event. Mina Surisrabhan Yubharet, Class of 1967, came all the way from Thailand.
Bud Schell was recognized, as he has been for quite a number of years now, as the oldest Alumni member present. He graduated 81 years ago in 1935. Schell has generously provided for the great music at these reunions in the person of “One Man Band,” Paul Slusar. Dorothy Crepo Sanford, the actual oldest living Alumni member, beating Bud by a few months, turns 100 in December. Dorothy was unable to attend but sent her regards.
Alumni President Mary Godfroy Young recognized some of the other classes celebrating their reunions. The Class of 1945 was represented only by the stalwart Helen Koepp. The 60-year Class, that of 1956, had nine members present. The Class of 1961, celebrating 55 years, had six of their graduates present. There were 20 members representing the Class of 1971, six for the Class of 1981 and four for the Class of 1996
The 50-year Class, of course, celebrating their golden anniversary, is always the star of the Reunion event. The Class of 1966 had 31 of their members present. This was their second night of catching up with old classmates. About the same number had met the previous evening for dinner at Zucchini’s Restaurant in Pittsfield. Bud Schell also attended this gathering as an honored guest.
Jim Benjamin summed up the general sentiment of the Class of ’66 with a comment on Facebook, “Had a great time at my 50 year high school reunion. Saw a lot of old friends and had a wonderful time talking about things old and new. It was so nice to see Bud Schell whom my step father and I worked for in Lebanon. Already thinking about next year and our school’s 100 year anniversary. Good Stuff.”
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