Hudson High School 55th Class Reunion

HHS Class ‘59

55^th

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 20^th was 84, 25^th-78, 30^th-83, 35^th-70, 40^th-79, 46^th-58, 50^th-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 55^th 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.

A special thanks to all those that made the 55^th a very special and memorable event.   The class voted to have their next reunion in five years (2019).  A place and time will be announced later so you can mark it on your calendar.