The reunion began on Friday night, June 12, 2009, with an informal gathering at the CanadInn for cocktails and appetizers. Many of those on hand had not attended a reunion in the past so the challenge of recognizing each other was high. It was amazing to watch as people arrived, collected their name tags which had their graduating senior picture and then see the double-takes as we all started to recognize each other. Thank heavens for those pictures!
John Smith, shown right with Norm Sage, organized a tour of the Ralph Englestad Arena on Saturday morning and Bette Russell Sorlie,shown below with Barbara Hjelmstad McConnell, organized a tour of Central High School in the afternoon.
Fifty years ago we didn't think we were youngsters
Now fifty years later we don't think we're oldsters.
Fifty years ago we thought we knew everything
Now fifty years later we're still trying to learn more.
Fifty years ago we thought maybe someday we would be married, raise a family
Now fifty years later many of us are involved with helping raise grandkids.
Fifty years ago we were not aware of the mysteries that life was to bestow upon us,
Now fifty years later we search out our reading glasses (a pair of which we probably have in every room) and curiously entertain deep and greater concern about the next successful bowel movement ahead of where we cleverly placed the promises of Viagra or cialis!!
Fifty years ago we were graduating from high school
Now fifty years later we're graduating from work.
Fifty years ago we thought we would live forever,
Now fifty years later many of us are gone.
Fifty years ago we all began the trek that took us through our lives… our fates… and uncertainties… and we made it this far to be here this weekend - with - and for - each other, and we all deserve a special "recognition" diploma for that! So, may I now offer that special "recognition" diploma to you in the form of this toast?
Welcoming remarks by Susan Indridson Yost (co-chair of the event together with Bette Russell Sorlie) included recognition of all the committee members who helped make the reunion such a great success:
Bette Russell Sorlie and her husband, Dick; Barb Hjelmstad McConnell and her husband Dick; Ken Bachellor; Bob Goehl; Barb Schroeder Mauristan; Dewey Anderson; Tim Malm; Bart Reigstad and his wife, Barbara; Ann Wentz Donicht; Dawn Day; Pat Smith Erickson; Patty Molsted Bachmeier; Maureen Rose Bellinger; Maggie Brett Hillman; John Smith; Warren Stokes; Mahlon Reep; Pauline Sjordal; Barb Benner Olson; Sharon Paul DeLannoy; Sandi Schjeldahl Starr; Karen Lehr Benner.
Several of classmates who were in Centralian Chorus in high school sang "Amazing Grace" and "Moments to Remember". The singing group included Barb Hjelmstad McConnell, Bob Goehl, Dick Sturgeon, Bart Reigstad, Sharon Paul DeLannoy, Sandi Schjeldahl Starr, Karen Lehr Benner, Dick Sorlie (husband of Bette Russell Sorlie. an adopted Centralian singer), and Zaundra Kleven Cowger. The chorus was accompanied by Barbara Schroeder Maristuen.
Awards were presented by Ken Bachellor to several classmates in the following categories:
Traveled the Farthest Distance: Maureen Rose Bellinger from Mexico
Most Body Piercings: Maggie Brett Hillman (you'll have to ask her about that)
Most Adventurous: Barb Benner Olson for climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro at AGE 67
Person Living Nearest to Central: Sharon John
Person with Most Grandchildren: Patty Bryan Obregon - 19 grandkids
Man with Most Hair: Don Thorson
Married the Longest: Elaine Ruud Thorfinnson (50 years)
We spent the evening dancing, visiting, reminiscing, and just plain enjoying each other's company again after all these years. As we were wrapping up for the evening many people commented on the very special bond that has tied us together over all these years. All who attended agreed that growing up in the '50's in Grand Forks was a truly a wonderful experience - lots of memories shared -
swimming at Riverside Park Pool and ice skating in the park, Jacoby's and the Kegs, Hob Nobs at the "Y", potluck get-togethers, Doc Winters, Prof Sheets, Mr. Bonhoff, Mr. Haesle, the Class Play, musicals, Mr. Sherwood, the "live" Christmas tree , dancing during lunch break at the "Y", basketball games in the old gym, freezing our butts off at hockey games, Serge Gambucci, armory dances, proms, hanging' around the Club Cigar Store at lunch hour, Ken Rio, lots of parties and "keggers", Sadie Hawkin's Day dances, walking to school on bitter cold winter days and walking home for lunch every day, parades, building the floats, decorating for dances, cheerleading, tournaments, debate team trips, scary memorization of French conversation, great looking matching skirt and sweater outfits, band and marching in parades in uniform, slumber parties, chasing girls at basketball tournaments, movies at the Starlite drive-in, Toby's IT Drive-in, A&W Drive-in, drag races, can-cans, gym clothes, locker bays, working on the year book, hitching a ride behind the school bus on the way to school, Ms. Unkenholtz, Miss Edmunds, Mr. Harmon and on and on.
All of these memories of teachers, places, people and events hold us together as the Class of '59.
