Reunion Writeup

50th Year Reunion Functions

This is the article on the Spirit of ’65 50th Year Reunion. It was published in the Salisbury Post on 10/18/2015. Salisbury Post Article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

On Friday, September 26, 2015, West Rowan Class of 1965 began its 50th year celebration reunion by gathering at Hendrix Barbecue on Statesville Boulevard for dinner. Following dinner at Hendrix, a few classmates braved the rain and attended the homecoming game at West Rowan. A total of 33 classmates and 27 guests attended the dinner at Hendrix. Classmates attending were:

On Saturday morning, September 26, classmates played golf in the 4th annual “Spirit of 65” Golf Tourney at Corbin Hills Golf Club.

Saturday evening, 48 classmates and 33 guests gathered at the Elks Lodge in Salisbury. Social Hour began at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. catered by Trisha’s Catering in Lexington. Centerpieces were created by classmate Pat Cowan McLaughlin. Steve Arey, classmate and Elks member, secured the Elks Lodge for us and ensured that the room was set according to plan.

Following dinner, Gene Myers, Emcee, recognized deceased classmates whose names were displayed on a framed poster. Deceased classmates

Gene also presented the golf trophy to Billy Christie and Butch McSwain who managed to wrestle it from two-time winners of Gene (Catfish) Myers and John Francis, husband of classmate Martha Stout Francis. We have it from a good source that the only reason Gene and John did not win this year is that John would not let Gene keep score.

When the class of 1965 began at West Rowan in the fall of 1961, classmates came from four elementary schools where they had spent eight years together. At the reunion, classmates from each school were recognized: 18 from Hurley, 11 from Woodleaf, 8 from Mt. Ulla, and 8 from Cleveland. Also recognized were 3 classmates who joined us at West having attended elementary school elsewhere.

Classmate and official photographer for the evening, Wayne Wrights, took photos of each elementary school group as well as photos of all the “girls” and all the “boys.” Throughout the evening, Wayne also took many candid photos many of which can be viewed on our class website www.spiritof65.com created and maintained by classmate, Mike Bianchi. Classmates who attended received memory booklets containing directory information. Booklets were prepared by Susan Campbell Myers, wife of Gene Myers who assisted her in the preparation.

Members of the reunion planning committee were: Chair Gene (Catfish) Myers, Judy Owen Callicutt, Glenda Gray Kearns, Pat Cowan McLaughlin, and Carol Honeycutt Rinehardt.

Classmates in attendance at the Elks Lodge on Saturday were: