HHS Class ‘59
55th
Class Reunion
October 11, 2014 was a memorable
day for the class of 1959. This was an
attendance record setting day based on the guest book records. Attendance at the previous reunions beginning
with the 20th was 84, 25th-78, 30th-83, 35th-70,
40th-79, 46th-58, 50th-55 and 2014 with 119
attending.
The day began with a memorial
service at Refuge Missionary Baptist Church where 85 had registered with plans
to attend. We had a large crowd but did
not get an exact count.
Pastor Jerry Woodie welcomed the
guest to the service followed by Rev. Regional (Jack) Lutz giving the
invocation. Special music was provided
by Larry and Earlene Winebarger and Phyllis Hamilton Templeton. The congregational hymns were led by Janet
Berry, Daughter of Glenn Herman with accompanist Denise Prince, Daughter of
Hilda Bolick Bumgardner. Veronica
(Ronnie) Koontz McDougle presented a poem, “The
Dash”. Rev Jerry Woodie did the
Meditation. Lighting of the candles
ceremony was led by Lillian Miller Young assisted by Geneva Smith Barlowe,
Helen West Garnes and Janet Berry. At the end of the service the congregation
circled the auditorium holding hands singing “Blest Be The Tie That Binds” The
benediction and blessing was rendered by Rev. Larry W. Cline. Following the service, green and white star
shaped balloons representing each deceased classmate were passed out as
everyone left the auditorium. Outside
following a brief ceremony presented by Geneva Smith Barlowe the balloons were
released. A lunch prepared by Janice
Wilcox with assistance from Paul and Joan Herman and Pat Woodie was served
following the service.
Beginning at 5:00 p.m.
classmates, spouses, family and friends began gathering at the Hudson Uptown
Building for our 55th class reunion.
This is the exact location where it all started in the fall of 1955 as
we came together from Baton, Hudson, Sawmills, and Whitnel elementary
schools. Registration and Social Hour
was from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with
presentation of a program book, a name tag and door prize tickets. Ronnie Koontz McDougle prepared a beautiful spread of hors d’oeuvres
that was enjoyed before dinner. A class
photo was taken in front of the auditorium entrance with pictures available
before leaving. Rev. Jerry Woodie gave
the invocation and blessing before dinner that was catered by Dan’l Boone
Inn. Dinner music was presented by Greg
Knight as a tribute to his father Paul Knight, a much loved deceased
classmate. Max McCreary (Master of
Ceremonies) did the welcome, recognition of special guest, teachers (Mr. Cecil
Clark, Mr. Theron Farlow and Mr. Carl Wagner) and business announcements. Lillian Miller Young recognized the deceased
classmates with a fitting memorial display representing each classmate as well
as a brief memorial message. Larry Correll and Rev Jerry Woodie were in charge
of the patriotic part of the event with a Pledge of Allegiance and military
recognition. Judy Woods Hartley took us
on a trip down memory lane. Our own
classmate Joy Snyder Sims provided a moving and entertaining experience with
accompanist Gerri McBride. This event
was blessed with many door prizes that were given out in two different sessions
by Helen West Garnes and Geneva Smith Barlowe.
The Hudson High School “Alma Mater”
was led by Janet Herman Berry and Denise Bumgardner Prince. Regional (Reg) Pinson gave the closing
remarks and Good Night. Following the good night every one stood and sang
together “Auld Lang Syne”. For those that wanted to hang around the
Rock-N-Roll & Reminiscence segment was started and ran until cleanup time.
